2005-2007 Toyota Avalon

gypsy13

Several weeks ago I said I had placed my XM antenna just above the center of the windshield. The very short lengty of wire that is exposed runs under the rubber molding and into the car. The control unit is in the drop-down sunglasses case, the power and antenna wires to it are hidden in the overhead. Power to the unit is turned off with the ignition. I said I'd give an update after using it, and washing the car in an automatic wash.

It all works perfectly. I never take my eyes off the road...instead, I reach up and lower the door just long enough to the XM Roady 11 remote to change channels. It's preset to what I like.

The car wash with heavy felt doesn't bother the antenna, nor did a heavy coating of salt picked up during a nearly 3,000 mile drive around Utah, Wyoming and Montana.

Temperatures dropped to -16, and the car started beautifully. I hated to do that, actually, but had to go. Warm up was noisier than usual, but all seemed well.

My only complaint is a rattle somewhere behind or above the back right seat...noticeable, so far, only when driving in Mexico.

I have been away for a while, but have to say that reading these recent posts made me wonder if I was on the Yugo discussion board.

alan_s

I have to agree. My new Avalon has the worst build quality of any car I have had in the past 20 years. What a horrible disappointment. Every day there is a new rattle or creak to chase down. The engine rattles like a 1980 Mercedes 300D (diesel). The sloppy engine hesitation and slushy, slippy transmission make it irritating to drive in traffic. I only get 16mpg in city driving. The door seals are defective, although silicon grease eases them somewhat. The steering column is loose and clunks from left to right. What a piece of trash. My old Avalon was infinitely superior to this.
I looked at the new Azera and the Lucerne last weekend. The gaps between the body panels on both cars were smaller than the Avalon's and the interior bits seemed securely put together, compared with Avalon's many flimsy vibrating and creaking parts.
I can't believe this is a Toyota. With non-supportive dealers and a manufacturer who is now too big to care, at 4,700 miles I'm ready to dump this mistake.

From the comments here, I don't think I have a lemon. There are so many "lemons" out there we have an entire orchard.

After 13 Toyotas over 20 years, I am no longer a Toyota customer.
:lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon:

usaid98

msavalon

Sorry you are having a problem getting the seal replace. My dealer is still working on the problem. They (Toyota) know about the problem but they are still working on how to fix it. My seal has been replace but it still does not work. Stay tune. :confuse:

micky1

The positive side to this is "this is the most impressive power I have had the pleasure to drive since the muscle cars of the 1950's & 60's" I have researched the engine design and discovered that the value timing and oiling is dependent upon several sensors, one senses engine temperature. Therefore the engine noise is most likely a result of the new technology and may not be a big deal. I remember the lifter noise on a 1957 Chevy 6 cylinder, and that was a tremendous short stroke engine. Grin and bear the burden of being the first out of the gate with something new. Enjoy the tremendous value of the car.

captain2

actually, if you do a little research you'll find very, very few 'muscle cars' that could keep up with an Avalon or any other reasonably high powered car of today. My friends '65 Mustang - 289HP, 250 SAE gross HP and 2600lbs?
how about 8 sec 0-60 and just under 17 in the quarter. Keep in mind that those HP ratings were about a 40% overestimate. Lbs/HP the easiest way to estimate effective acceleration - the Avalon about 13 lbs/HP, that Mustang about 17 after subtracting 100 to get 'real' HP. Think that '68 383 Roadrunner (200 net HP about 3100 lbss)was fast - wouldn't keep up with today's Avalon - and then we can talk about the relative fuel economies - because not only has power per unit engine volume doubled or tripled, so has engine efficiency!
And yes, the Avalon engine is slightly noisier than the 3 liter that preceded it. Timing chains (not silly belts) and complicated variable valvetrains will make a little more of a racket. I'm with you, enjoy what is Toyota's first really high performance engine - it's great!

3puttmax

very few 'muscle cars' that could keep up with an Avalon

I had the original '64 GTO. Very exciting car at the time. Did 0-60 in about 7 sec flat (stock 4 barrel, stock gearing - other versions were faster). My point - the Avalon is actually faster than the original muscle car, the '64 GTO.

The GTO handled OK, but the brakes were practically non-existant - very dangerous. Mileage almost never over 20 mpg, with high-test gas. Stiff ride, heavy clutch, ...

So - let's all enjoy our Avalon performance & luxury.

Max

auburn96

BT-10 BlueTooth Connection $299.

j_hbrock

I was so convinced I wanted the Avalon but I can't see what I can truly get OUT of the 06/07 Avalon with the '07 Camry matching it in almost every way except for more leg room for rear passengers.

I am just going to have to test drive the HELL out of both.

It seems....in my very limited knowledge with cars....TOYOTA kind of keeps shooting themselves in the foot. I CAN'T be the ONLY one who was willing to pay the price for an AVALON before seeing the new CAMRY. They will lose Avalon sales by making these two vehicles so close in comparison.

wwest

As soon as Lexus drops the ES330 in favor of the IS series(FWD don't "fit" the upscale marhet)you will see the Camry "slide" into a lower level market slot.

captain2

the GTO an overengined Tempest, the Mustange an overengired Falcon, and in both cases relative deathtraps compared to what we drive today. My friend's Mustang - you literally have to anticipate the brakes getting around to slow the car down before you ever get around to actually applying them - it is a wonder we all survived and can you imagine what the product liability lawyers would be telling the mfgrs. today?
There were a number of 60's/early 70's muscle cars that would run in the 5's, generally the low volume special order 426s, 429s, 440s, and 454s with liberties taken with high ratio rear ends and high volume carbs - 20 mpg only a pipe dream!

captain2

don't see that happening - Lexus sells almost as many ES models as they do the entire rest of the line. The IS is a much smaller car and given its sporting character probably not to the taste of the average American driver. He wants something softer - which the ES certainly is.
Why not base the new ES on the Avalon, upgrading it slightly for a small premium. It might actually poach a little bit from the new LS460 but would at least give them something competitive in a larger 'near' luxury sedan for those folks willing to spend a little more for a badge. It has worked well for years with the current ES.

fin

While getting an oil change today on my '03 XL at the local Toyota shop, I had a chance to see several friends and talk. Get this: Camry sales are down, people are waiting for the new one now that pictures and some mechanical info are available. But Avalon sales are UP, like they have 1 left on the lot till another batch comes in. Frustrated buyers, needing a car now but not being able to have a loaded '07 Camry, are going upmarket to the Avalon.

It appears that buyers are worried that the new Camry will be so close to the Avalon and so far ahead of the current model Camry that resale value may suffer on the current model. So they buy the Avalon.

Don't know if this happening nationwide, but it sure is selling Avalons here in Atlanta, at least at one dealership. Any thoughts, forum members... ??

captain2

there would be little reason to hold off a 4 cylinder Camry, the styling is different but car size/power about the same. V6 Camry buyers have about 60 reasons to either wait or buy the Avalon, it has about 3.5 liters and is wonderful. Down here in Texas, Avalons have never been easy to find at the dealers - this despite some rather deliberate price gouging primarily by the distributor. 2 or 3 years from now the 07 Camry V6 should be preferred to the 06, but I'm guessing that it's not so much that the 06 is suffering resale wise (still a great car with a good engine) as much as the 07 may be selling at a premium.

wwest

Just look around at what's happening in the upscale market regarding FWD, it's rapidly becoming obsolete. To me it's clear, very clear, that Lexus needs a RWD vehicle in the ES "class".

Just a matter of time until they find one.

And keep in mind that early on the IS was being marketed to the "boy-racer" (granted, the moneyed ones), wannabee teeny-bopper. My, how things have changed.

petl

What does this have to do with the Avalon?

captain2

The IS a direct frontal assualt on the 330 - and judging by the early sales figures - a quite succesful one. But, not a car that is going to appeal to the ES buyer. They won't make the 'ES350' RWD for the same reason they didn't make the Avalon RWD - too close to the LS at a $20k+ discount.

algee

"wannabee teeny-bopper"

You must be from the '30's because I don't know what this is?

frntdr

My wife and I test drove the Mercedes E350 (we have a 1999 E320 now), the Lexus ES330, the Lexus GS330, the Infinity FX and the Avalon. We found, for the price, the Avalon offered far more in size, comfort, luxury appointments and even fuel economy than the other "luxury" models. I believe it is, in fact, the Lexus GS without the insignia and at a price of about $10,000.00 less. I found a few unimportant (to us) differences in power options (passenger seat memory, steering wheel tilt & telescope), but otherwise it feels like the Lexus. I pick up my new Limited the middle of next month.

spokanecal

The FWD ES is not going away for at least five years. Toyota just introduced the new ES350 last week for 2007. It has a new body style (cool) and the Avalon engine.

cms1528

I installed the SIRIUS satellite kit in my 06 Limited about a month ago. Everything went smoothly and after a few days I noticed that the signal would drop out and a "no signal" message would flash on my display screen.

Now I'm not talking about driving under a large bridge or driving through a tunnel, I mean I have a signal in my driveway and when I drive about 500 feet the signal drops out. I have tried another antenna in place of the factory one and still the same problem. I can be sitting in traffic with a signal then it will drop out and come back on 20 mins later and I have only moved about 30 feet.

The signal will be up for say about five mins. and then drop out for who knows how long. I drove down I-95 toward DC for about 40 miles and never picked up a signal. I have checked all my connections and no problems found. Sirius says its not their problem and that my radio must be malfuctioning.

The dealer has been very cool and they ordered another "black box," the receiving unit that fits in the trunk. They saw the problem first hand and said that they really did not have a way to test the unit. They don't think its the head unit at all since I sometiimes get a signal.

Has anyone experienced anything like this with their factory satellite set up.

regis

"FWD, it's rapidly becoming obsolete"
I believe many who operate a vehicle in snow country will have a hard time accepting your prediction. I had a 92 Mazda 929 RWD that brought this home to me several years back. It was equipped with snow tires. Attempting to leave from a shopping mall with a slightly inclined, snow covered exit, we were left spinning our wheels while other FWD cars wizzed by with ease. How embarrasing! While I drool over some RWD's like the M45, IS350 etc., I will never consider a RWD in my area (Canada).

wwest

Just as AWD/4WD will be better/quicker at getting you up and going on a slippery surface, so will FWD as opposed to RWD due to the engine's weight being at the front.

But the last thing you need is engine compression braking on the front wheels when you instinctively lift the throttle at the inception of understearing.

Unless your Toyota has DBW and VSC in which case the VSC system will take over, assume control of the throttle valve, and prevent engine compression braking from exacerbating the understearing by quickly matching the engine RPM to roadspeed based on the current gear ratio.

regis

Uhh!OK

Regis

micky1

Purchasing a car is a bit like politics, everyone has an opinion. If it works it is good. Remember the more things change the more they stay the same, time will tell. Technology is changing so fast the average person is not able to keep up with the times. The FWD vehicles are saver than RWD but the drive is different. I have a pickup that is RWD and a car that is FWD. Good to be reminded of the value of each.

captain2

I'd have to agree with wwest if you only consider FWD in high HP applications. Including our Avalons. The Avalon would certainly be a better car in terms of handling by getting the car's weight distribution closer to 50-50. Any FWD car with 60% of the weight over the drive wheels will, by definition understeer and also have problems with torque steer with all that HP. Cars that pretend to be 'sports sedans' (TL and Maxima SE come to mind) are not simply because while the power is there, the vehicle dynamics are not. Doesn't, however, make the car any less safe because there are some benefits (traction/stability) to keeping the weight over the drive wheels and understeer is inherently a safer condition at vehicle handling limits. Expect to see lower end, power limited models to continue with FWD, but for any mfgr. that succesfully wants to produce a superior handling car RWD will have to become more common. Witness what Nissan has done with the G35/Ms - there is simply no comparison between the way the G35 handles vs. the way the Maxima does - this despite a common engine and chassis. The difference: RWD vs. FWD.
As the new 268hp Camry becomes available, again blurring the distinction between it and the Avalon, it would be a wise move for Toyota to make a new Avalon RWD and perhaps add a few HP - creating some real differences and reasons to spend the extra dollars. Don't believe that they will because than they are getting too close to Lexus' backyard, but sure would like to see it!

limiteddriver

Someone asked several weeks ago how to make the turn signal flasher have a louder sound. On another forum somone asked the same question and the answer was to instal a pezio buzzer across the wires going to the flasher bulbs. I take no responsibility for the accuracy of this info, etc.

mycheese

Does anyone know how to install an auto-dimming mirror? Should I just take it to dealer? Helppp

regis

Of course you are both right, BUT this would still not have helped me exit that snow covered parking lot several years ago.

captain2

traction - one of the advantages of FWD, effectively 'pulling' you thru difficult conditions with 60% of weight over the drive wheels. Which is why I don't understand why traction control systems should be used specifically on FWD cars - don't live in the snow country anymore - but would think that it might actually hurt the abilities to handle those type of conditions. RWD or AWD, on the other, essential.

catman2050

With a second kid on the way, I need to supersize my BMW 330i into something larger. I set out to find something that was bigger, but still had power and handling. After test driving quite a few cars and SUVs, I have narrowed down my list to: (a) Toyota Avalon Touring; (b) Nissan Altima SE-R; and (c) Dodge Charger RT with R&T package.

The Altima and Charger are sportier than the Avalon, but the Avalon still has good power and the Touring trim offers solid (though not sporty) handling. However, outside of being able to take sharp turns quickly and outside of actually feeling the car accelerate, the Avalon probably has an advantage over the other two in every other measureable (i.e., more comfort, better reliability, more room, better safety, just about as good 0-60 times, better ride, better gas mileage, etc.).

I guess I'm wondering if any of you have been in a similar experience...having to give up the small car as your family grew. If so, were you more inclined to go with the sports sedan...or were you okay giving up some of that sport in exchange for advantages elsewhere? Also, if anyone has any opinions on these 3 sedans, I'd appreciate hearing them.

gbxk86a

My '05 XL Avalon strangely zero-ed the MPG reading a few times randomly when I started the car. The car has about 4000 miles on it and this improper reinitialization has occurred about six times. I could not sense anything that I did differently that caused this. It did zero properly every time I refill the tank, but I understand that the MPG will not be zero-ed under any other circumstance. Does anyone know how the car sense that you just refill the tank and go ahead to zero the MPG reading ? Do you think the problem is as simple as a bad sensor? Thank you in advance for the response.

limiteddriver

I think the computer knows when the gas cap is removed, but haven't varified that removing the cap and not putting in gas will zero the reading.

wwest

To keep fuel evaporative emissions low the fuel system and tank is kept under a slight vacuum. If the fuel cap is removed and a fair amount of fuel is added then no diagnostic results.

I would imagine that if the vacuum leaks down over a matter of days the diagnostic might not come up but the MPG may get rezeroed anyway.

captain2

Own the Touring for about a year now and have found it to be acceptable compromise between ride and handling - the other trims just too soft for my taste. My wife's car an Altima 3.5SE and while it is a great car (never been in the shop in 50k) it is a harder noiser ride and a smaller car - although it will come close to keeping up with my Av. The SER a little quicker from what I understand and harder riding still. Wouldn't touch a Chrysler product with a 10 ft. pole, despite the brand's penchant for some innovative styling.

stlmo

I rarely drive my wife's 05 Limited (5.8K mi) but I have had it reset on its own a couple of times without taking off the gas cap. Neither of the times was after an extended period of non-use; in fact I actually saw the reading reset once while I was driving. No idea why it does this and hasn't irritated me too much so far as I have yet to be able to drive it long enough to try and see what type of mileage I might be able to attain. My wife never monitors the mpg readout since she doesn't really care and prefers the audio readout and the mapping feature. No telling how many times it has erroneously reset on her and she didn't even know.

deanie

Hi:
When I bought my Avalon, it was because I was having a second child too. Safety first. Avalon (and Charger) got great 5-star ratings - Altima was actually not very good.

Then space. Avalon actually seats three across in the back - neither Charger nor Se-R can do that (Maxima can't either). I measured them all, put two child seats in the rear of each and then sat myself in the third seat, and the others don't even come close.

Quality/Reliability/Resale value - c'mon. Avalon hands down.

Handling - Se-R hands down. Charger RT and Touring are close to each other.

Fuel economy - not even close. Avalon way ahead, the SE-R then Charger way behind.

Acceleration Charger, then Se-R then Avalon, but all within 3/10ths of a second of each other.

Appearance is subjective. With a family, comfort is important, and there the Avalon - again - wins hands down. Behind the wheel, I'd say the SE-R seats are the best, it's dash appearance is nice, followed by Avalon's. Charger's is decidedly low-rent.

Only the SE-R of these three can be tossed around in a manner you may have done with your 330. Charger and Avalon are about the same - big cars whereas the SE-R is a midsize.

I'm biased toward the Avalon because I bought one. Well, not because I bought one, but I bought one because it was the best choice for my criteria, which appears to be the same as yours. Hope I've helped.
Regards,
Deanie

P.S. What I don't understand is why you haven't condiered teh Infinity G35, a better choice than all concerned here. I didn't buy one because it could only seat four and I needed genuine seating for five - pity.

catman2050

Thanks for the input on this issue. From my initial test drive of each car (and some others that I did not list), it does look like the Avalon Touring will best fit my needs (I just need to decide whether I like black, smoke, silver or garnet the best).

As for the G35, I love that car (I almost got that car instead of the 330). howevever, the rear seat is just too small. Forget about width, the leg room is about the same as the 330 (even though the G35 is almost 10 inches longer).....and, with that type of leg room, my excited two year old will have her feet through the front seat in no time.

retired7

After owning two new GTO's ('65 & '69) I realized the GTO acronym really stands for "Get your Tools Out" and "Gas, Tires and Oil"!

charlesn1

I have an '05 Blizzard Pearl Limited. Has any one installed side windshades on an '05? If so, how do they look? Do they work well? Any photos available to see how they look on the car?

Charlie

jl618

Have any of you installed the Parrot Bluetooth system on your Avalon? I've seen it in several other cars, and it pairs very will with my Motorola E815. It appears to be a good system. I'm considering either the CK3100 or 3200.

guertin

Are the 2007 Avalons available in California?

doobre

I thought I had finished writing about my problems with the 2005 XL in UAE, on this forum. But here I am back again....

You did read the title correctly, on two occasions now, when I have set the cruise control and I then go and use the wash/wipe control to clean the windscreen, the cruise setting is cancelled, the cruise light flashes and the ABS light comes on for 3 or 4 seconds... If I turn off the cruise and reset it all is fine..

I took it to the dealer, they connected the computer thingy... said they noticed 'an occurance' but did not have any solution for it....?!?!?!?!?

any ideas? anyone else had the same problem..?
cheers

doobre

but wait there is more...
The vinyl on the edge of the armrest on the drivers side door is losing its top colour coating/skin..

it started out as just a very small bubble in the 'skin' of the vinyl... and gradually grew and grew, and has now spread all along the edge of the armrest, in the area where I "rest my arm"!!!!

It has not been cleaned by me or anyone else, and all I can think is that the sweat from skin has reacted with the vinyl... it looks like the car has done 1000's of Kms, but only 20,000kms...

The dealer here in the UAE says it is "normal wear and tear" ?!?!?!?

anyone got any ideas about this one?
cheers

algee

Yes, Place your order here. 8885551212

pat

Hardee har har ...

mjinsj

No, the 2007 Avalons do not exist yet. Consider ignoring the person who vehemently despises the Avalon and yet continues to inhabit this forum.

pat

Consider answering a question and skipping the personal slaps, 'kay?

geoshill

For some unknown reason my '06 XLS is performing great. The tranny which did have troubles seems to have decided to behave itself. I live on a hill so I down shift for engine braking and it seems to have organized the tranny to work properly. Everything else is first class as advertised.

limiteddriver

Due to a previous post, I made a test today to see if the MPG number in the dash display would reset itself if I took off the gas cap, waited and didn't add gas. It didn't. Took a 800 mile trip last week which was almost entirely at interstate speeds. I set the cruise control on 77 MPH and averaged 29.4 MPG. I think that's good.

endovit

Had an incident in the garage the other day. 06 Limited etc.... got in, pressed the brake pedal, waited for the green light on the starter button, then pushed it. Engine turned over, began to start, then heard popping and the engine shut down. Not thinking anything about it, I pushed the start button again only to have the engine turn over but not start. Did this a few times until I decided to just let it sit a few minutes and check under the hood for a fire. Nothing under the hood, I got back in and pushed the button again - it started up as if nothing had happened. On old carburator types I'd get out and see if I had a backfire that caused the carb to catch on fire. That's what it sounded like. All is well, but it scared the heck out of me. Anyone else seen this or would like to comment on what it may have been? BTW - car had been sitting all night in the garage before this happened. Got down to probably 35 or so that night.